Originally posted by Dennism@Jun 28th, 2004 - 9:44 pm I don´t know but should one be wearing so much makeup when meeting the Pope? She has some ruby lips there and so I wondered with the whole modesty thing and all.

Well the Pope seemed perfectly pleased with her. According to the pool news report he kept taking her hand throughout the nearly 30 minutes and as they made to leave he stopped them and directed some words of affection to Letizia.

__________________"I dress first for myself, then for men, and lastly for other women, who are going to be critical anyway." Elizabeth Taylor

Originally posted by Bubbette@Jun 29th, 2004 - 7:43 amIs that usual protocol? To hold a congregant&#39;s hand? Tell me what is usual.

I have no idea. It&#39;s just what I read--and he didn&#39;t hold it for the entire time, he apparently just took hold of it once in a while in an affectionate manner. Again, it&#39;s just what I read. Perhaps since it was, technically, a private call? It&#39;s not the norm for him to receive people in his private library either and to have some minutes of completly private conversation; nor is it the norm for him to send a personal blessing like the one read at the wedding--it&#39;s all signs of his respect and sincere affection for the Spanish Royal family.

In any case, I was just trying to make the point that it seemed kind of petty, to me (and with all respect to the opinions of the poster of the makeup question) to question if Letizia&#39;s makeup was not quite modest enough when the entire meeting was warm and positive, the Pope was smiling and content, Felipe as well, and Letizia not only looked wonderful, but acted in all moments with perfect grace, respect and discretion.

We don&#39;t need to knit-pick these women to death every time there is one little detail we might not like&#33;

__________________"I dress first for myself, then for men, and lastly for other women, who are going to be critical anyway." Elizabeth Taylor

Why do the women have to wear black when visiting the Pope? Is it simpy protocol? Also, are the women told in advance what to wear because i&#39;ve noticed that even the non-Catholic women dress like Letizia when meeting the Pope ex. Queen Rania and Queen Elizabeth.

Originally posted by ~*~Humera~*~@Jun 29th, 2004 - 1:42 pm Why do the women have to wear black when visiting the Pope? Is it simpy protocol? Also, are the women told in advance what to wear because i&#39;ve noticed that even the non-Catholic women dress like Letizia when meeting the Pope ex. Queen Rania and Queen Elizabeth.

Years (and I do mean years ago, so it may have changed), I knew someone in the foreign service who told me that all ladies , regardless of religious preference or background, were supposed to wear dark dresses and head coverings when meeting the Pope. I guess it&#39;s probably more a sign of respect than anything else. Like I said, this was a while ago, so things may have changed in the years. For my part, whenever I see news pix of the Pope with visitors such as Letizia, etc, they&#39;re always wearing black dresses with hats.

Originally posted by ~*~Humera~*~@Jun 29th, 2004 - 1:42 pm Why do the women have to wear black when visiting the Pope? Is it simpy protocol? Also, are the women told in advance what to wear because i&#39;ve noticed that even the non-Catholic women dress like Letizia when meeting the Pope ex. Queen Rania and Queen Elizabeth.

The Catholic Queens of Spain and Belgium, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, the Archduchesses of Habsburg, the Princesses of Savoia and some ancient Roman noble families have the privilčge du blanc.

Everyone else must wear black&#33;&#33;&#33; On the GREMB they are all wondering what Maxima will wear once she becomes Queen. She is, after all, still Catholic but will have a Protestant King/husband.

Originally posted by Lyonnaise+Jun 29th, 2004 - 3:17 pm--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Lyonnaise @ Jun 29th, 2004 - 3:17 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-~*~Humera~*~@Jun 29th, 2004 - 1:42 pm Why do the women have to wear black when visiting the Pope? Is it simpy protocol? Also, are the women told in advance what to wear because i&#39;ve noticed that even the non-Catholic women dress like Letizia when meeting the Pope ex. Queen Rania and Queen Elizabeth.

The Catholic Queens of Spain and Belgium, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, the Archduchesses of Habsburg, the Princesses of Savoia and some ancient Roman noble families have the privilčge du blanc.

Everyone else must wear black&#33;&#33;&#33; On the GREMB they are all wondering what Maxima will wear once she becomes Queen. She is, after all, still Catholic but will have a Protestant King/husband. [/b][/quote]
why only those people? perhaps of the official religion in those countries since the beggining of their history? :)

that&#39;s true... i think maxima will have to wear black. although she is catholic, she is representing a protestant country, and maybe officially she must wear black.